Definitions

shì (verb) to show; to reveal

Etymology

Depicts a memorial tablet used for spiritual rituals.

About

The character "示" derives from an early representation of an altar or ritual stand, reflecting its initial association with sacrificial ceremonies and the act of presenting offerings to spiritual forces. In its standard written form, the character is structured with two horizontal strokes above a vertical line accompanied by two dots, and it commonly functions as a semantic radical in compound characters related to worship, omen, or demonstration, such as in 神 (spirit) or 示 (to show). While its primary sense was once confined to ritualistic showing or revealing in a religious context, the meaning broadened over centuries to encompass the general acts of indicating, displaying, or instructing in secular use.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他表同意我的建议。

Tā biǎoshì tóngyì wǒ de jiànyì.

He expressed agreement with my suggestion.

老师范了正确的写法。

Lǎoshī shìfàn le zhèngquè de xiěfǎ.

The teacher demonstrated the correct way of writing.

这张图显了他的位置。

Zhè zhāng tú xiǎnshì le tā de wèizhi.

This picture shows his location.

他暗我不要再说了。

Tā ànshì wǒ bùyào zài shuō le.

He hinted that I should not say more.

博物馆展了很多文物。

Bówùguǎn zhǎnshì le hěn duō wénwù.

The museum exhibited many cultural relics.

这些迹象预着一场风暴。

Zhèxiē jìxiàng yùshì zhe yī chǎng fēngbào.

These signs foreshadow a storm.

工程师演了新的软件功能。

Gōngchéngshī yǎnshì le xīn de ruǎnjiàn gōngnéng.

The engineer demonstrated the new software features.

上级指我们必须按时完成。

Shàngjí zhǐshì wǒmen bìxū ànshí wánchéng.

The superiors instructed that we must finish on time.